It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 344: The Tea Gets Stronger

“Besides me, only my personal maid resides within the palace. The Holy Son and Holy Maiden are staying in a separate courtyard,” Luo Tan said coldly.

“Don’t worry, young friend Mu. If it was one of my people, I’ll give you an explanation.” She looked at Mu Zhi’an, who had struggled to stand up, his face still pale, her voice serious.

She had to find the culprit and appease Mu Zhi’an.

There would be an alchemy competition soon, and she had already taken a liking to Ye Lingxuan.

The Innate Spiritual Body was a perfect fit for alchemy, and Luo Tan, a connoisseur of talent, appreciated Ye Lingxuan’s respect and affection for Mu Zhi’an.

She had to give him face, both for Ye Lingxuan’s sake and for the sake of the Innate Celestial Furnace.

Mu Zhi’an, his face pale, bowed respectfully. “I trust you, Your Majesty.”

His weakness was genuine. To fool Dao Integration experts, he had to commit to the act.

You want to attack me, Xiao Hua? I’ll give you the chance. But you’ll do it right under your Empress’s nose.

Luo Tan’s expression softened slightly. She had a good impression of Mu Zhi’an’s respectful demeanor.

“Let’s see who’s behind this,” she said, her voice turning cold as she looked at Ye Qingxin and Yao Meng. “Which one of you will come with me? I doubt you’ll trust me to go alone.”

Normally, Yao Meng would be worried about Mu Zhi’an’s injuries.

However, she was surprisingly calm, her earlier anger replaced by a playful annoyance as she looked at him.

Mu Zhi’an met her gaze and smiled apologetically.

They understood each other without words.

“Let’s go together and find out who’s responsible,” Yao Meng said softly, glancing at Mu Zhi’an meaningfully.

“You two should be enough. Young friend Mu was just attacked. He needs someone to protect him,” Ye Qingxin said, shaking her head.

She could see that his injuries weren’t serious. Her offer to stay wasn’t entirely out of concern. She had other motives.

“I think it’s best if you come with us, fellow Daoist Ye. He has a very capable maid. I’ve already contacted her. She’s waiting outside,” Yao Meng said with a smile, her voice gentle yet firm, refusing Ye Qingxin’s offer.

The Jade Empress, her senses sharp, had noticed Ye Qingxin’s change in attitude towards Mu Zhi’an.

And this change made her wary.

Yao Meng is great, but she’s too protective of her… toy. She won’t let any other Dao Integration ‘sharks’ into her pond… Mu Zhi’an thought, a hint of regret in his eyes.

“Since you insist, Fairy Yao Meng, I’ll come with you,” Ye Qingxin said, unable to refuse.

Her body was enveloped in a fiery red and gold aura, like a witch, contrasting sharply with Yao Meng’s ethereal beauty.

Then, Luo Tan and Yao Meng transformed into streaks of light and disappeared.

Ye Qingxin, also wreathed in flames, glanced at Mu Zhi’an before leaving, a playful smile in her eyes.

“You’re quite bold.”

Her words had a hidden meaning, but Mu Zhi’an understood. He cupped his fists helplessly. “I didn’t intend to… use you, Senior. I was truly attacked, and the Jade Empress wasn’t here, so…”

They were all beings who had lived for millennia. They could see through his little scheme.

From his visit, to revealing his Innate Celestial Furnace’s evolution, to stopping them from pursuing the Void Nightmare… She knew what he was doing.

And so did Luo Tan and Yao Meng.

Mu Zhi’an hadn’t expected his plan to be foolproof.

But it didn’t matter.

The Void Nightmare had been summoned by Xiao Hua. And with all the suspicions surrounding him, Luo Tan wouldn’t protect him.

The outcome was all that mattered.

As for their displeasure with his little act… it wouldn’t last long.

Luo Tan would punish the culprit severely, especially if it was one of her people.

And if Xiao Hua’s secret was exposed… she would even be grateful to him.

Besides, he possessed the Innate Celestial Furnace, and she now knew about the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy.

Even a Dao Integration expert wouldn’t ignore such a valuable resource.

As for Ye Qingxin…

“I’m not blaming you, but you could have been more direct,” she said, her voice softening, a faint smile curving her lips as she looked at his apologetic expression.

“You’re practically a Ye family member now. If anyone makes things difficult for you, I won’t stand idly by.”

“You’re so kind, Senior~” Mu Zhi’an said, touched by her words.

Ye Qingxin nodded, her fiery aura intensifying, then she vanished in a flash of red light, her alluring figure and ample bosom leaving a lasting impression on Mu Zhi’an. Ruoxi has met her match…

…

Meanwhile, in a hall on the southern bank, Xiao Hua opened his eyes, a satisfied smile on his face as he saw the Void Nightmare before him.

It wouldn’t give up until it fulfilled its contract. Although it had cost him a fifth of his life essence and even shortened his lifespan… it didn’t matter.

He was a powerful being in his past life, capable of great feats.

A mere decade or two of lifespan was insignificant. He would recover it once he reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

“You shouldn’t have touched my woman.”

He sneered inwardly and was about to send the Void Nightmare away, erasing all evidence, when—

“Wait… why?”

“I can’t control it?!”

“When did it form a contract with someone else?!”

He tried to command the Nightmare, but it didn’t react. His face darkened.

Even he, a former Soul Transformation expert, felt a sense of unease.

He had chosen the Void Nightmare because its attacks were undetectable. If it didn’t leave now, and they traced it back to him…

Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine and looked up. A black mark, like a brand, shot out from the Nightmare’s single eye and embedded itself in his consciousness.

A Nightmare mark appeared on his forehead, as if announcing his use of the curse technique.

“Why?! Why isn’t it obeying me?!”

He roared inwardly, his heart pounding with fear and confusion.

Then, realizing something, his face paled, and he murmured, his voice filled with a chilling realization,

“Mu… Zhi… an!”

The Void Nightmare had become uncontrollable after attacking Mu Zhi’an, and it had even left its mark on him. If news of this attack spread, his involvement would be exposed.

“He’s more cunning than I thought… Although I don’t understand how he subdued the Nightmare, I can’t stay here any longer…”

Xiao Hua’s heart was filled with despair.

However, he had just been defeated by Bai Ruoxi, his consciousness severely damaged, and he had just sacrificed a portion of his life essence. He was too weak to even walk.

How could he escape?

“Am I going to die before even reaching the peak in this life?”

“I’m not reconciled!”

His mind raced, then his eyes lit up.

The ancient treasure map fragment!

He had obtained it during his tribulation. It could store a cultivator’s consciousness.

The Nightmare mark was on his consciousness. If he hid his consciousness within the fragment and feigned unconsciousness, even if they suspected him, they wouldn’t have any proof…

As long as his consciousness survived, it didn’t matter if this body perished.

He slammed his palm against his chest.

His vision darkened, and he collapsed, his consciousness entering the treasure map fragment.

…

With the departure of the three Dao Integration experts, silence returned to the hall.

Wei Mengrou stood beside Mu Zhi’an, having understood his plan from their earlier conversation.

She glared at him coldly. “Was it worth it, injuring yourself just to deal with an enemy?”

Her long hair cascaded down her back, her alluring legs visible beneath her flowing dress, her eyes filled with disdain.

“Can you help me up?” Mu Zhi’an asked, extending his hand towards her with a smile.

His pale lips and weakened state made her bite her lip, and she helped him sit down on a nearby chair.

“Sit here, Mengrou.”

He patted the chair beside him, wanting her to stay.

“My wound hurts, Mengrou…” he said, feigning pain, seeing her cold expression.

Her eyes softened with concern, and she sat down beside him.

“Where are you hurt?” she asked after a moment of silence, her voice still cold, but her eyes betraying her worry.

“It’s just a flesh wound. I’ll recover in a day or two,” he said, his arm casually wrapping around her waist. “Are you worried about me, Mengrou?”

“You deserved it. You didn’t have to get injured,” she retorted, her voice cold, but her cheeks flushed as she turned her head away.

“Even if the Jade Empress and the others knew I was acting, I still had to play the part,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled.

He didn’t care about Xiao Hua’s fate.

Whether he lived or died didn’t matter. As long as his luck decreased, Mu Zhi’an’s would increase.

“Even so, you should be more careful,” Wei Mengrou said coldly.

Mu Zhi’an pulled her closer, and she leaned against him, her initial resistance fading.

His hand, initially resting on her waist, began to wander.

She blushed, glancing at him with a playful resentment, then lowered her gaze.

Her usual coldness and aloofness melted away as she snuggled against him.

After a while, she gently stopped his hand. “W-wait… Not here…” she whispered.

“Should we go back to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony?” he whispered in her ear.

“If you’re not afraid of being discovered, then as you wish,” she replied calmly, her cheeks flushed, but her excuse ready.

Mu Zhi’an sighed inwardly.

She was right. Although the others weren’t always in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony during the Ascension Ceremony, they could return at any time.

And enjoying Mengrou’s soft body here… wasn’t a bad idea… Especially seeing her usually cold and aloof demeanor replaced by this seductive shyness…

He was about to move his hand higher when she closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering, savoring the moment, inhaling his familiar scent.

After a while, he stopped, and she smoothed her dress, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

Noticing his playful gaze, she glared at him and quickly adjusted her clothes.

Then, as if remembering something, she looked at him curiously.

“I gave you a box of fragrant balm before, but I’ve never seen you use it.”

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